Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office Press Release

NATCHITOCHES-A local man fishing in the Red River near Grand Ecore on Thursday evening was in shock when he observed a vehicle falling from a 71-foot bluff into the Red River according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

The fisherman called the NPSO 911 Center at approximately 6:10pm, Thursday evening, reporting the incident on Red River requesting assistance.

Deputies say after arriving on scene and talking to the witness, they could not determine if the vehicle was occupied when it sank.

At 7:11pm, Rescue divers discovered and cleared the vehicle for occupants in approximately 15 feet of water, hooking a cable to the vehicle for recovery purposes.

There were no occupants.

Louisiana State Police and Natchitoches deputies had to temporarily shut down the Grand Ecore Bridge, while a local wrecker service positioned its wrecker on the bridge to recover and hoist the black 2008 Dodge Charger from the river.

Deputies report that while working the scene, the owner of the vehicle reportedly reported the vehicle stolen from their residence in the 1000 block of Tauzin Island Road, near Natchitoches during the day along with some jewelry while they were away.

The vehicle is currently stored for evidence as the investigation continues into the cause of how the vehicle went over the bluff into the river by the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division.

Sheriff Jones, stated that “if it wouldn’t be for the quick actions of the observant fisherman, concerned for others safety, the vehicle may have not been found”. “Further more we are relieved knowing no one lost their life, and we are thankful to have caring and responsive citizens in Natchitoches Parish”.